Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 12 000 students, 400 professors, and more than 4 000 other faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.
The School of Chemical Engineering is one of the six schools of Aalto University. The Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems (Bio2) focuses on innovations and cutting-edge research to support the emerging bioeconomy.
We are now looking for a
Staff scientist in Cellulose Technology
Are you passionate about plant resources, pulping and technology and looking for a possibility to have an impact on the development of biomass refining concepts?
We are looking for a candidate for a fixed-term staff scientist position in cellulose technology. Cellulose technology at the department involves pulping and textile fiber manufacturing. The candidate should be familiar with the chemical pulping processes and have hands-on experience in operating digesters, refiners and other relevant equipment.
Bio2 department is equipped and interested in working in the forefront of biomass processing. Our infrastructure involves batch reactors from laboratory to bench-scale enabling versatile operations for biomass processing. We are well equipped not only for pulping and bleaching but also for mechanical and chemical processing of pulps and pulp mill filtrates. The pulping infrastructure is also highly relevant to our cellulose textile and textile recycling research where chemistries similar to pulp bleaching are applied. We have a full spectrum of standard analytical methods to characterize pulp production processes from effluents to the final products as well as advanced analytical methods. To complement our expertise, we are looking for a scientist with in-depth knowledge of pulping and cellulose technology and analytics ready to take on responsibilities in this area.
Your role and goals
The staff scientist in cellulose technology will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and conducting experiments using the biomass refining infrastructure at Bio2. The most important aspect is to upkeep and develop our infrastructure especially in the field of chemical pulping, including pulp modification and uses of pulp mill filtrates. This includes training and instruction of users to the infrastructure. The staff scientist is expected to have ambitions to develop the technologies and be involved in the research projects. The staff scientist is also expected to collaborate with companies, take an active role in establishing new collaborations and in applying for funding together with professors at the Bio2 department.
The staff scientist will have the opportunity to support doctoral candidates and instruct MSc and BSc students in projects related to pulping and cellulose technology. Depending on their interest, the staff scientist may also participate in teaching topics at BSc and MSc level.
Scientific Environment
The department of Bioproducts and Biosystems (Bio2), one of the three departments in the School of Chemical Engineering at Aalto University, has an internationally leading reputation for the development of advanced materials from natural resources. It is one of the leading European research and higher education institutions in the field of sustainable chemistry and engineering based on the utilization of renewable resources. Bio2 aims to contribute to the development of novel solutions to move towards sustainable primary production and processing systems that can produce materials with fewer inputs, less environmental impact and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Research teams within Bio2 have a wide range of interests such as lignocellulosic nanomaterials, unit operations, packaging, textile, medical and other emerging applications. Very often, wood-derived biomaterials play a central role in research, so biorefinery knowledge is in the forefront on many activities at the department and broader university.
The department hosts state-of-the-art laboratories and small-scale pilot facilities to support bioproducts teaching and research.
We are part of Emission Free Pulping program and we are leading three large collaborative competence centers at the department, which opens up the possibility for multidisciplinary collaboration. These are the FinnCERES competence center for materials bioeconomy, Bioinnovation center and the Center of Excellence in Life inspired hybrid materials (LIBER).
Expected qualifications and experience
The candidate is expected to have
- A PhD in chemical engineering or related field
- Hands-on experience in chemical pulping
- Ability to operate and maintain lab and bench scale equipment relevant to pulp production and its conversion
- Experience in training equipment users
- Teaching experience including instructing students in the laboratory
- Preferably at least 2 years of experience after PhD
- Excellent written, oral, and communication skills in English, and the ability and motivation to communicate with scientific peers and the public
- Good publication record in peer-reviewed journals
It would be an asset if the candidate also has
- Experience in project management and funding acquisition
- Experience in operating equipment such as pulping digesters, bleaching reactors, and pulp refiners.
- Experience in collaboration with the industry
What we offer
We offer an opportunity to spearhead biomass refining research as part of a globally renowned scientific community. You will work together with the faculty to support academic functions such as teaching and applying for funding. We offer an inspiring work environment with connections to FinnCERES and Aalto University Bioinnovation Center.
We offer a fixed-term position for 5 years. Salary is determined according to the salary system of Aalto University. Our facilities are located at Aalto University Otaniemi campus in Espoo, Finland. The planned starting date is in Spring 2025 yet depending on the availability of the candidate.
The employment contract includes occupational health care, and Finland has a comprehensive social security system. Aalto University provides excellent learning and development opportunities, commuter ticket benefit. Unisport offers versatile sports facilities and exercise services with a staff discount.
Ready to apply?
If you want to join our community, please submit your application through our online recruitment system no later than 24.11.2024 by using the link on Aalto University’s webpage (“Apply now”). If you are an Aalto employee, please apply via Workday system (internal jobs) using your existing Workday user account.
To apply, please include the following documents in English and as a single pdf document:
- Motivation letter (1 page)
- Research statement including experience and description of previous equipment responsibilities (1-2 pages)
- CV including teaching experience and contact information of 2-3 references
- List of publications with five most important publications highlighted
For further information about the position, please contact Professor Tiina Nypelö (tiina.nypelo(at)aalto.fi). In recruitment-related questions, please contact HR Partner Noora Katisko (noora.katisko(at)aalto.fi).
Want to know more about us and your future colleagues? You can watch these videos: Aalto University – Towards a better world, Aalto People , and Shaping a Sustainable Future. You can also check out our webpage about Aalto and Finland: https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/welcome-to-aalto-university-and-finland-info-package and check out our new virtual campus experience: https://virtualtour.aalto.fi/
About Finland
Finland is a great place for living with or without family – it is a safe, politically stable, and well-organized Nordic society. Finland is consistently ranked high in quality of life and was just listed again as the happiest country in the world: https://worldhappiness.report/news/its-a-three-peat-finland-keeps-top-spot-as-happiest-country-in-world/. For more information about living in Finland: https://www.aalto.fi/services/about-finland
